Ten years
ago, 23 March was a double-whammy for the aviation enthusiast - not only
did Vulcan XH558 make her last flight from Waddington to Bruntingthorpe,
but also the last A-10s left RAF Bentwaters in Suffolk, closing the curtain
on forty years of USAF operations from the twin-base complex that included
Woodbridge a few miles away.

It
was a bright and sunny day, if a bit breezy, but particularly good for
those lucky enough to be in the back of the Hercules doing air-to-air
with the Vulcan (bastards).

Down at Bentwaters
USAFE had opened its doors to the general public for a low-key send-off
for the remaining Thunderbolts, 81-0982 and 82-0655,
both with their 'WR' tailcode removed ready for the transit to the 52nd
Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem in Germany. A brief ceremony was followed
by the two aircraft taxying out through the washing-down water spray before
taking off for the last time. Such was the relaxed atmosphere that many
had migrated to almost the edge
of the runway, the 'guards' being uncharacteristically relaxed about the
whole thing.

A final formation
flypast and they were gone - as was Bentwaters, a particularly charismatic
airfield set in a lovely part of East Anglia. On sale were tee-shirts
with the slogan 'RAF Bentwaters - will the last person out please switch
off the lights'.